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Another very strong issue from Hickman, these recent standalones in both this title and FF have really been great, I can’t be the only one thinking that Hickman should have focussed on stories like this instead of his big mega-arc? The concept of this story was very simple, but effective. You’re led to believe that the FF are on a mission on some mysterious planet, until the pull back and reveal that they were actually doing a ‘Fantastic Voyage’ inside of Willy Lumpkin and saving him from cancer. It worked really well (although the cover did kind of spoil it) and was a practically perfect mix of the crazy science and human connections and love that make up the Fantastic Four. Yes, they have mad adventures, but the FF are still all about their friends and family, and even a Mailman counts as part of that. Ron Garney’s art was excellent again, it’s a shame he’s not sticking around, but Camuncoli is a favourite of mine, and it’s going to cool to see the Black Panther back in King-Mode.

It never once occurred to me that this was some mysterious planet. Everything instantly said Fantastic Voyage to me.

But I'll agree with you that Hickman should of done more stuff like this sooner. It's almost like this was the first issue that featured the Fantastic FOUR.

So while this was a better issue, the plot has been a hundred times (and better) elsewhere. It also stinks that the while the Fantastic Four have found a cure for cancer - it only applies to people they know. That's the dangerous thing with these kinds of stories. Sure, Willy is all okay now but what about all the thousands and thousands of cancer patients out there? "Sorry, we'll save this old feeble retired mailman but the rest of you - sod off."

I like Lumpkin, but better he died, than to have a workable cure for cancer that will never be used again.

Amoebas wrote:It never once occurred to me that this was some mysterious planet. Everything instantly said Fantastic Voyage to me.

But I'll agree with you that Hickman should of done more stuff like this sooner. It's almost like this was the first issue that featured the Fantastic FOUR.

So while this was a better issue, the plot has been a hundred times (and better) elsewhere. It also stinks that the while the Fantastic Four have found a cure for cancer - it only applies to people they know. That's the dangerous thing with these kinds of stories. Sure, Willy is all okay now but what about all the thousands and thousands of cancer patients out there? "Sorry, we'll save this old feeble retired mailman but the rest of you - sod off."

I like Lumpkin, but better he died, than to have a workable cure for cancer that will never be used again.

Nah. Dr. Strange The Oath worked the same type of concept and it was a great mini.

This was the weakest of the standalones, by far.

I think the only major character that Hickman hasn't touched in his run has been the Surfer, it'll be interesting to see if he pops up before the end.

Amoebas wrote:It never once occurred to me that this was some mysterious planet. Everything instantly said Fantastic Voyage to me.

But I'll agree with you that Hickman should of done more stuff like this sooner. It's almost like this was the first issue that featured the Fantastic FOUR.

So while this was a better issue, the plot has been a hundred times (and better) elsewhere. It also stinks that the while the Fantastic Four have found a cure for cancer - it only applies to people they know. That's the dangerous thing with these kinds of stories. Sure, Willy is all okay now but what about all the thousands and thousands of cancer patients out there? "Sorry, we'll save this old feeble retired mailman but the rest of you - sod off."

I like Lumpkin, but better he died, than to have a workable cure for cancer that will never be used again.

Amoebas wrote:It never once occurred to me that this was some mysterious planet. Everything instantly said Fantastic Voyage to me.

But I'll agree with you that Hickman should of done more stuff like this sooner. It's almost like this was the first issue that featured the Fantastic FOUR.

So while this was a better issue, the plot has been a hundred times (and better) elsewhere. It also stinks that the while the Fantastic Four have found a cure for cancer - it only applies to people they know. That's the dangerous thing with these kinds of stories. Sure, Willy is all okay now but what about all the thousands and thousands of cancer patients out there? "Sorry, we'll save this old feeble retired mailman but the rest of you - sod off."

I like Lumpkin, but better he died, than to have a workable cure for cancer that will never be used again.

You're assuming, of course, that the cure for cancer is something Reed has had in the back of his pocket for a long time.

Or that the cost of such an operation is cheap enough to be duplicated all over the "real" (Marvel) world.

"I have my heroes, but no one knows their names"- Sons of the Desert

Strict31 wrote:I'm not sure that combining the nigh-uncontrollable power of LOLtron with the Nacireman is a good idea. Some years from now, when mankind is on the verge of extinction, we'll be able to look back and remember this moment, and say, "DANG."

McDarkseid wrote:Once again, the science fascists only use their superior technology sparingly, without regard to sharing it with the rest of the world desperate to cure disease.

Where's Elijah Snow when you really need him?

"I have my heroes, but no one knows their names"- Sons of the Desert

Strict31 wrote:I'm not sure that combining the nigh-uncontrollable power of LOLtron with the Nacireman is a good idea. Some years from now, when mankind is on the verge of extinction, we'll be able to look back and remember this moment, and say, "DANG."

Amoebas wrote:It never once occurred to me that this was some mysterious planet. Everything instantly said Fantastic Voyage to me.

truth. the only "mystery" about this issue to me was whose body they were in. everything else was obvious.

So while this was a better issue, the plot has been a hundred times (and better) elsewhere. It also stinks that the while the Fantastic Four have found a cure for cancer - it only applies to people they know. That's the dangerous thing with these kinds of stories. Sure, Willy is all okay now but what about all the thousands and thousands of cancer patients out there? "Sorry, we'll save this old feeble retired mailman but the rest of you - sod off."

I like Lumpkin, but better he died, than to have a workable cure for cancer that will never be used again.

and i agree with this as well. i actually liked the issue, but i totally agree with your point about these being dangerous/bad idea issues...9 times out of 10 they take me so far out of any ability to suspend disbelief that i can't enjoy them. this one just happened to overcome that (Ben's line at the end about "miracles...who does she think she's talking to?" had a lot to do with that). not my favorite issue, but i liked it ok.

IvCNuB4 wrote:Did they credit Hank McCoy for this pioneering this procedure ?

Since we're on the subject, remember the Superfriends episode where Aquaman turned into a shark creature, and to change him back, a miniaturized Superman and Wonder Woman had to fly the Supermobile into his brain to change him back?

"I have my heroes, but no one knows their names"- Sons of the Desert

Strict31 wrote:I'm not sure that combining the nigh-uncontrollable power of LOLtron with the Nacireman is a good idea. Some years from now, when mankind is on the verge of extinction, we'll be able to look back and remember this moment, and say, "DANG."